Watkins Glen seeks Cup race sponsor

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (AP) -- Watkins Glen International needs a title sponsor for its NASCAR Sprint Cup race after Centurion Boats opted out of the final year of its contract.

Company officials said the decision was based on the downturn in the national economy. Centurion spokesman Les Clark said the company has cut production 50 percent and laid off half its work force at its North Carolina manufacturing facility.

"The economy is not going to make this easy. It is having an effect on our sport; it's going to have an effect on our year. These are tough times," Watkins Glen International president Craig Rust said Friday. "I don't think we ever expected it to get this bad. I haven't seen it this bad in sports from a sponsorship standpoint in a long time."

The value of a Cup title sponsorship can exceed a million dollars, but Rust would not put a figure on the Watkins Glen race.

"A title sponsor is important, because it gives us a marketing partner to promote the race," Rust said. "We're working hard on it, but no matter what, it's important for fans to know we'll have a Sprint Cup race in 2009."

Centurion Boats will continue to have a presence at Watkins Glen but in a reduced role, Rust said.

Rust said sponsors for the IRL's Camping World Grand Prix in July, and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen in June were intact.


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Labonte leaves cash-strapped Petty Enterprises

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Bobby Labonte has been released from his contract with Petty Enterprises, which is trying to negotiate a deal with Gillett Evernham Motorsports that would solidify the future of its famed No. 43 Dodge.

Petty Enterprises has been unable to find sponsorship for Labonte, a former NASCAR champion, and is in danger of eventually closing its storied organization if it can't work out a merger with GEM.

David Zucker, who took over as CEO of Petty Enterprises when Boston Ventures purchased majority interest of the organization in June, said Petty would run the No. 43 as a single-car team in 2009 if a merger with GEM is not completed.

"Gillett Evernham Motorsports is a first class team with great drivers, sponsors and management," Zucker said in a statement Thursday. "We look forward to improved performance and maintaining the Richard Petty legacy, with the King front and center."

The organization has been anything but for the last two decades, as the 60-year-old team fell far behind the competition. It took steps over the past few years to strengthen the organization, signing Labonte, creating a testing team and moving its shop from its longtime home in Randelman to Mooresville to be closer to the NASCAR hub.

But sponsorship woes still hindered the team, which lost General Mills to Richard Childress Racing. Needing an infusion of cash, Richard Petty sold controlling interest to Boston Ventures in hopes the private equity firm could shore up his family business.

Labonte, also believing Boston Ventures could bring the organization back to prominence, signed a four-year contract extension to remain behind the wheel of Richard Petty's legendary car.

Only nothing has materialized in the six months since the sale, and Petty Enterprises has had two rounds of layoffs, letting go at least 70 employees since last month's season finale.

After "serious and sincere discussions" with Petty Enterprises, Labonte said he reached the difficult decision to leave the team.

"In over 15 years of racing in the Sprint Cup Series, I can't remember a time when the sport's landscape looks as it does today," said Labonte, the 2000 Cup champion. "I am, and will always be, very appreciative of what Richard Petty and the Petty family, every employee of Petty Enterprises and members of Boston Ventures did to invest in bettering my career the past three seasons."

Labonte said he does not have a job lined up for next season, and Chip Ganassi's No. 41 is the only open ride with full-time sponsorship already secured. Ganassi recently partnered with Dale Earnhardt Inc., and has taken his time filling his vacant seat.

Labonte, who has 21 Cup victories, was winless in his three years with Petty Enterprises. He had just 13 top-10 finishes and finished no higher than 18th in the final season standings. But Petty praised his work.

"Bobby is a true champion who never failed to give everything he had when he was behind the wheel of one of our race cars," Petty said.


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Petty Enterprises releases at least 35 employees

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Petty Enterprises released at least three dozen employees Monday as the team continues to search for either a merger or a miracle that would keep the famed organization operating in 2009.

The latest round of layoffs pushed the total to almost 70 employees. Petty Enterprises released 30 employees the day after the Nov. 18 season finale.

Petty Enterprises, which lacks full sponsorship for either of its cars next season, is in talks to merge with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports in an effort to keep its flagship No. 43 on the track. The car was made famous by seven-time champion Richard Petty, and currently piloted by Bobby Labonte.

Labonte, the 2000 series champion, signed a four-year contract extension in June when Petty Enterprises sold majority interest of its operation to Boston Ventures. The private equity firm assumed day-to-day control of the 60-year-old operation, but has yet to put Petty Enterprises on solid footing -- largely because the economic crisis has made sponsorship difficult to secure.

Petty officials have talked to several teams in the garage about a merger, but Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing were crossed off the board when those two teams partnered with each other the week of the season finale.

Gillett-Evernham, meanwhile, has been looking for a partner to help it expand to a four-car operation. That team currently fields cars for Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and is scheduled to bring Reed Sorenson into its third Dodge next season.


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France asks Congress to help U.S. automakers

NEW YORK (AP) -- NASCAR chairman Brian France has lobbied Congress to support a financial rescue plan for the struggling Big Three automakers.

Chrysler, Ford and General Motors -- three of the four manufacturers that participate in NASCAR -- are pleading with Congress for a bailout to prevent their companies from going bankrupt.

"I'm writing you as a concerned American who wants what is best for our general country," France wrote. "Of course, the domestic automobile manufacturers play a very important part of the heritage of NASCAR, but more importantly, it is vital for all of America."

The letter, a copy of which was obtained Saturday by The Associated Press, was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, and Sen. Richard Shelby, the senior Republican on the Banking Committee. It was dated Tuesday.

France's letter warned that if the auto industry fails, 3 million people would lose their jobs in the first year, and another 2.5 million over the following two years. He said personal income in the U.S. would drop by $150 billion in the first year and domestic automobile production -- even by foreign manufacturers -- would likely drop to zero.

"For these manufacturers to survive, your assistance is urgently needed," France wrote. "By immediately supporting America's automobile industry, you can help our nation avoid a devastating economic blow.

"We urge the Administration and Congress to support the bridge loan package under deliberation. As unattractive as the idea of corporate federal bailouts can be to many Americans, including me, there appears to be no alternative. Federal aid is in the best interest of the entire country."

Although France said last month that NASCAR could survive a manufacturer pullback or pullout, teams throughout the industry are deeply concerned about the stability of the Big Three. Toyota, the only foreign manufacturer that participates in NASCAR, has also seen slumping sales but is on more solid financial footing than the American automakers.

Any sort of pullback by the manufacturers would cripple many race teams, particularly because sponsorship is extremely difficult to find during the economic crisis. Many teams have been forced to release employees, and some are reconsidering their 2009 plans.

On Saturday, the storied Wood Brothers organization said it will scale its program back to just 12 races for next season. Petty Enterprises is in talks to merge with Gillett-Evernham Motorsports, and Chip Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced a partnership late last month.

The plight was front and center during Friday night's season-ending awards ceremony, where several drivers and championship-winning car owner Rick Hendrick asked for support of the automakers. Even Tony Stewart, who drove a Toyota this season but is moving back to Chevrolet next year, touched on it during his speech.

"I hope some of our elected officials are listening tonight," Hendrick said. "Our domestic automakers support more than five million jobs and represent the backbone of our country. So, let's make sure we do the same thing for Main Street what we've done for Wall Street."

Ed Peper, president of General Motors' racing program, accepted the manufacturer's 32nd championship and used his time to ask those in attendance to speak to their local politicians about the automotive industry problems.

"This is the toughest fight of our lives," Peper said. "In difficult times, you find out who your friends are. I hope you'll let your legislators know how vital their support of the domestic auto industry truly is."


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Yarborough surprises Johnson at awards ceremony

NEW YORK (AP) -- In the two weeks since Jimmie Johnson wrapped up his record-tying third straight NASCAR championship, he tried, but failed to reach Cale Yarborough.

Johnson wanted Yarborough, the only other driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive titles, to be his personal guest at the season-ending awards ceremony to help celebrate their remarkable feats.

"I tried to get up with him, and just never could," Johnson said of the 69-year-old Yarborough.

But NASCAR had a surprise in store for its reigning champion.

When chairman Brian France took to the stage at the Waldorf-Astoria to present Johnson with his championship ring, he turned the task over to a surprise guest: Yarborough himself, who had quietly sat through Friday night's ceremony near the back of the ballroom and only made his way to the stage when the lights dimmed before the presentation.

Johnson looked genuinely shocked.

"You dog!" he said to Yarborough after the ceremony. "They said you had plans and couldn't come."

Very few did.

Yarborough, who tends to his business ventures in South Carolina, has stayed out of the spotlight since his 1988 retirement. He works two days a week at an office in one of his car dealerships, but spends most of his time building -- by himself -- a 35-acre lake on his 4,000-acre plantation.

"I got plenty to do," he said. "I dig and haul the dirt and make a mountain out of it."

Johnson's pursuit of his 30-year record brought Yarborough back into the spotlight, but he seemed a reluctant participant down the final stretch and turned down an offer to attend the Nov. 18 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The awards ceremony, which Yarborough had not attended in years, was a different story.

"I wanted to be part of Jimmie's celebration," said Yarborough, who won his titles from 1976-78. "Only two of us in 60 years had done this. I needed to be a part of it. I enjoyed it very much."

Did he ever.

Yarborough was the star of the four-hour affair, drawing a standing ovation during his introduction then bringing down the house with a humorous speech.

He quipped that being back among old friends had given him back his racing spirit, and told winning car owner Rick Hendrick he'd be interested in driving again if Hendrick had a good ride available for an old man.

And he graciously welcomed Johnson into the record book, but warned he'll root against his pursuit of a fourth straight title.

"Somebody finally did it. I hope Jimmie realizes that NASCAR is 60 years old and there's only two of us who have done it in 60 years. That's a rare champion," Yarborough said. "All good records are meant to be broken. But tied. Tied, really, is all he's done.

"If anybody was to tie my record, I'm glad Jimmie did it. Just skip one year and we'll be good."

Johnson, who grew up a Yarborough fan, accepted the championship ring and then recalled a childhood story about visiting a Hardee's and thinking Yarborough, who was sponsored by the fast-food restaurant, would be inside.

"I was devastated," Johnson said about only getting a hamburger that day.

He eventually got his meeting, several years ago at Talladega Superspeedway, when he and Yarborough chatted at length about the size of Johnson's feet, of all things.

"He was giving me a hard time about the length of my shoe," Johnson recalled. "And he made me pull my shoe off so he could see my foot. It was really funny and odd and weird. It was Cale and Darrell Waltrip, and a bunch of guys, just harassing me about my shoe size."

There was no talk of feet Friday night. Instead, two champions took a moment to toast one another.

"I wanted to see him and hoped at some point I would see him," Johnson said. "He's done something that no one else has been able to do, so I'm sure that he was bummed in some ways that somebody else tied it.

"But at the same time I'm sure he's proud and it's helped him reflect back on his career and how special his championships are."


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NASCAR scales back its year-end celebration

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jimmie Johnson coolly entered an Irish bar jammed with NASCAR fans and promptly ordered a round of beer for everyone.

Pint glass raised, he toasted the rowdy crowd.

Johnson clearly came to New York this year ready to party.

And why not? His third consecutive NASCAR championship this season tied Cale Yarborough's 30-year-old record, and the laid-back but focused Californian doesn't appear ready to slow down anytime soon.

"Yes, I want to win a fourth," Johnson said. "Right now, I'm a part of history, I'd love to make history. Not pulling the Babe Ruth and pointing over to the outfield and saying I'm going to hit it over here, but hell yeah, I want to win a fourth. We'll see."

His festive mood is part of the territory during NASCAR's weeklong celebration to the champion, which wraps up with Friday night's season-ending awards ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

The driver who has spent all of his career putting forth a buttoned-up, professional persona is finally comfortable showcasing his playful side.

His whirlwind tour of New York has been one big party, at a time when NASCAR could really use one.

The sport is trudging forward during this economic crisis, which has quickly rocked the entire industry. Teams are struggling to find sponsorship, and the lack of funds led to hundreds of layoffs following the Nov. 18 season finale.

The Big Three automakers had a second round of meetings before Congress this week to plead for a financial rescue plan, and there's genuine concern General Motors might not make it to the end of the year.

"Please, don't forget to support our domestic auto manufacturers," Chad Knaus said in his acceptance speech as championship-winning crew chief. "Those guys are having a hard time, and they need our support right now."

So, yes, the party has roared on this week, but there's a definite feel that its been scaled back a bit. The annual champions lunch at famed 21 Club was scaled down to Foley's NY Pub & Restaurant, where Johnson bought the pints for the grateful crowd.

"We wanted to really get back to a grassroots level," said NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston.

But the cutbacks are everywhere. Ford and Chevrolet both canceled their annual Friday night parties, NASCAR scaled back on the employees it brings to the awards show and several other organizations cut down their attendees -- or aren't coming at all.

"It's kind of hard to have a party in the midst of a lot of misery," said championship-winning car owner Rick Hendrick.

A car dealer as well as a NASCAR team owner, Hendrick is nervous about the state of the automobile industry but believes Chrysler, Ford and GM will continue their involvement in the sport.

But Hendrick is also worried about the NASCAR industry as a whole.

"I think the Big Three, that's important to all of us, but the bigger picture is overall sponsorship," Hendrick said. "I think the folks that entertain at the track, have hospitality and sponsors, they're looking to reduce expenses everywhere. We'll feel it all the way around. Anything we can do to help all sides of it is going to be important."

Two-time series champion Tony Stewart has seen the difficulties firsthand as he readies for his first year as a NASCAR team owner. He needed split sponsorship from Office Depot and Old Spice to cover his car, and is still seeking money for 13 races on Ryan Newman's car.

And Dale Earnhardt Jr., who just wrapped up his sixth season as NASCAR's most popular driver, has yet to announce his sponsorship plans for his JR Motorsports-owned Nationwide Series team.

"We're still working on it," Stewart said of his sponsorship search. "Obviously, the economy is not helping us out. But the good thing is that companies are still in discussions. We're pushing forward anyway, that's not going to keep us from running Ryan's car. But the good news is we're still having meetings and that's encouraging because their are companies still willing to spend money in NASCAR."


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Second-place not good enough for Edwards

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Carl Edwards and second-place are not a good fit.

"The only thing about second is it's better than third. That's really all you can say," the runner-up in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series championships said, reflecting on torrid finishes that came up short in the point standings on each circuit.

"We all go out here to win, and the feeling of victory and achievement is so huge that second is not (pleasurable)," Edwards said on Friday during Champions' Week media day at Disney World. "It's satisfying that we performed so well, but getting second really doesn't mean a lot."

Clint Bowyer held off Edwards for the Nationwide driver championship by 21 points, and Jimmie Johnson prevailed in the Sprint Cup Series, even though Edwards won a series-best nine races and three of the final four.

Most years, the 2007 Nationwide Series champion would have repeated with the kind of comeback he staged after trailing by 204 points with eight races to go. But Bowyer's season-long consistency was too much to overcome.

Bowyer, who was working in a body shop in Kansas before receiving a career-changing call from Richard Childress a few years ago, won just one of 35 races. But 14 top-five finishes and a series-best 29 top-10s were enough to give the native of Emporia, Kan., his first driver championship.

Bowyer was recognized Saturday during an awards banquet in Orlando. Joe Gibbs Racing won the owner championship, winning a series-record 19 races and amassing a staggering 32 top-five and 44 top-10 finishes.

"How can you not appreciate it. It's unbelievable to be able to think what we accomplished this year," Bowyer said on Friday. "Whether you were a filthy rich kid and bought your ride and owned the team and owned the car, what we were able to accomplish means a lot and is a lot of fun to be a part of."

The crown also is special because of who he beat for the title. He and Edwards, of Columbia, Mo., were raised in the Midwest and are good friends off the track.

"We grew up with kind of the same backgrounds, him being from Missouri and me being from Kansas. We're both very proud to able to get paid to do what we're doing. I know how hard he worked and how much it means to him to be able to race," Bowyer said.

Edwards won three of the last four Nationwide Series events and seven overall to make it interesting down the stretch.

Still, Edwards and crew chiefs Drew Bickensderfer and Bob Osborne were left with an empty feeling last weekend after winning both the season-ending Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup races at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In addition to not catching Bowyer, Edwards fell 69 points short of stopping Johnson from taking his record-tying third consecutive Cup championship.

"I know we won those last two races, but I've never seen two guys -- not dejected, but more focused than that," Edwards said.

"Standing there in Victory Lane at Homestead, you look across the racetrack and see those guys celebrating and you say: 'Oh man, that could have been us if we had just done a couple of things differently.' That's motivating."

Edwards is looking forward to 2009, too.

He plans to travel to London for the Race of Champions next month and is getting married in January. Later comes his first trip to Thailand for a week or two of sightseeing, rest and relaxation.

"I know nothing about Thailand. I know nothing about Bangkok. That's going to be fun," Edwards said. "We tried to think of a place that was farthest, literally and figuratively, from Columbia, Mo. I'm thinking, Bangkok, Thailand could not be any farther."

Then, it's on to next season and resuming the quest to catch Johnson. Despite his disappointment in falling short this year, Edwards said he has nothing but respect for the champion.

"Jimmie, what he's done, I think not only is good for him. It's good for the sport to have a guy who can do that and have those kinds of results. As much as I can be, I'm happy for him. He's a good guy, he deserves it," Edwards said.

"We didn't mess up. Jimmie just was perfect. ... By most measures (our year) was great, but we set out this season to win two championships and we came up a little bit short. ... At least we can rest well knowing that we had these guys nervous a little bit at the end."


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